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AllTrails vs Google Maps Platform

AllTrails logo

AllTrails

Software

Discover the best hiking and biking trails

From
Free
Rated
-
Google Maps Platform logo

Google Maps Platform

Software

Comprehensive set of APIs and SDKs that allow developers to embed Google

From
On request
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only AllTrails has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: AllTrails the App Store listing shows AllTrails is a free download with an in-app Pro subscription; the visible listing text does not state the Pro price, so the reader must check in-app purchases for the current rate.; Google Maps Platform free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete
  • They diverge on capability: AllTrails covers Trail discovery, Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AllTrails and Google Maps Platform actually diverge.

Attributes where AllTrails and Google Maps Platform differ
AttributeAllTrailsGoogle Maps Platform
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsIos, Android, WebWeb
Founded20102005

Identical on both: pricing model (freemium), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in AllTrails

  • Trail discovery
  • Offline maps
  • GPS navigation
  • Activity recording
  • Trail reviews
  • Apple Health
  • Garmin
  • Apple Watch

Only in Google Maps Platform

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

AllTrails

  • Trail discoverynot Google Maps Platform
  • Hiking navigationnot Google Maps Platform
  • Outdoor fitness trackingnot Google Maps Platform

Google Maps Platform

  • Embedding dynamic maps, Street View and photorealistic 3D tiles in an applicationnot AllTrails
  • Route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisationnot AllTrails
  • Geocoding, place autocomplete and address validationnot AllTrails
  • Environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollennot AllTrails
  • Geospatial analytics through Earth Enginenot AllTrails

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AllTrails

  • The App Store listing shows AllTrails is a free download with an in-app Pro subscription; the visible listing text does not state the Pro price, so the reader must check in-app purchases for the current rate.

Google Maps Platform

  • Free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete
  • Dynamic Maps cost $7.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Geocoding and the Directions API both cost $5.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Pricing is tiered by volume, so the effective unit price depends on total monthly usage and is hard to predict in advance
  • Billing is usage based with no flat plan, so a traffic spike is a cost spike

Pricing, plan by plan

AllTrails

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Trail search
    • Community reviews
    • Basic maps
  • AllTrails+$35.99/year
    • Offline maps
    • Real-time navigation
    • Trail conditions

Google Maps Platform

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Maps Platform review.

Which should you pick?

Choose AllTrails if

  • You need trail discovery.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want offline maps.

Choose Google Maps Platform if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You also want user interface.

Questions people ask

Is AllTrails or Google Maps Platform better?
Neither clearly leads. AllTrails starts at Free and Google Maps Platform at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AllTrails or Google Maps Platform?
AllTrails has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for AllTrails and On request for Google Maps Platform.
Does AllTrails or Google Maps Platform run on more platforms?
AllTrails runs on Ios, Android, Web. Google Maps Platform runs on Web.
Can I use AllTrails for free?
Yes. AllTrails has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Google Maps Platform starts at On request.
What is AllTrails best used for?
AllTrails is most often used for trail discovery, hiking navigation, outdoor fitness tracking. Of those, trail discovery and hiking navigation are not what Google Maps Platform is typically brought in for.
What can AllTrails do that Google Maps Platform cannot?
AllTrails covers Trail discovery, Offline maps, GPS navigation, Activity recording. Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality, User Interface.

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